At dawn, Zeb shows Toby that the pigoons have flattened the front lawn, destroying anything that might have provided the enemy a hiding spot. They’ve even piled foliage for the Crakers to eat. Zeb realizes that the pigoons probably have a strategy, and the humans are just infantry with sprayguns. After breakfast, Zeb tells the group that according to the pigoon scouts, there are three men, but one of them is limping on a bad-smelling foot. They’re headed to the Paradice dome, and Jimmy groans that they’ll find his stash of ammunition. Zeb asks who is coming on the mission to kill the men and emphasizes that they need to be sure they can keep up. Most of the men and Toby plan to go, but Toby argues about bringing Blackbeard to translate. Blackbeard insists, and Zeb agrees that they need him. Jimmy wants to go too, promising that his foot is fine. Zeb warns that he’ll send him back with a pigoon if Jimmy’s foot slows them down.

The odd crew heads out, and Toby wonders, “If we were carrying a flag, […] what would be on it?” (346).